Seattle and Alaska
Both Are Sights One Needs To See
Our trip began in San Antonio, Tx on 21 August 2017. Our flight took us to Phoenix Az and then on to Seattle Wa. We grabbed a mini van at the Hertz Rental with some luck. I say luck because the eclipse happened the same day as our trip began. Who in our little group of travelers would have thought it would be next to impossible to find a rental vehicle in Seattle. After many days of being told "nothing to be had until 26August2017," we finally secured a reservation via the Southwest Airlines web sight with Hertz. Good thing we secured the mini van ... six people, twelve large suite cases, two wheel chairs, and assorted back packs / small bags were crammed into the vehicle. One of our group compared us to a clown car at the circus. We just kept falling out of the vehicle when we arrived at the house. None the less, with the wife using her cell phone to navigate by, she directed us safely to our home away from home for the next four nights. A quaint little house in the Queen Ann District which was two story with a basement that backed up to a green belt. What a view from outside the back. Not only green and lush with trees reaching to the sky, the green belt came with a very steep slope down to the dry creek. I guess the land fell away from the house, at least, forty feet down to the creek bed below.
The weather was really nice in Seattle. The temperature was refreshing especially since we came from 100 degree highs in Texas. Unaccustomed to the cooler mornings, we wore sweat shirts and light coats while the locals were still in shirts and trousers or shorts. Only one morning did we see the locals with heaver cloths on and the kids bundled up.
Travel in Seattle proved to be an adventure every time we left the house. Not only did we need to rely on the wife's navigating using her phone but when we successfully arrived at our destination, where to park became the task. We should have had a clue we we arrived at the house and there were a line of cars all the way down the street parked on the sidewalks. Yes, the locals did not use their garages to park the cars .. they lined the cars up on the sidewalks. Yes they did and then the locals would walk or ride bikes in the street. Lots of bicycles were used in Seattle. If I go back again, I will use Uber or Lyft to get around and save on the parking charges and headaches of finding space to park.
All-in-all, a fun stay. Dining was awesome. Lots of fresh seafood was always on the menus. A place we found that was really great was "Five Hooks Fish Grill." We liked it so much that we went back again later in the week. The other place really enjoyed by all was "Chinooks at Salmon Bay." Right on the water with seafood shops around. We ate looking out over the harbor. If anyone heads up to Seattle, these two get a double thumbs up from us.
The weather was really nice in Seattle. The temperature was refreshing especially since we came from 100 degree highs in Texas. Unaccustomed to the cooler mornings, we wore sweat shirts and light coats while the locals were still in shirts and trousers or shorts. Only one morning did we see the locals with heaver cloths on and the kids bundled up.
Travel in Seattle proved to be an adventure every time we left the house. Not only did we need to rely on the wife's navigating using her phone but when we successfully arrived at our destination, where to park became the task. We should have had a clue we we arrived at the house and there were a line of cars all the way down the street parked on the sidewalks. Yes, the locals did not use their garages to park the cars .. they lined the cars up on the sidewalks. Yes they did and then the locals would walk or ride bikes in the street. Lots of bicycles were used in Seattle. If I go back again, I will use Uber or Lyft to get around and save on the parking charges and headaches of finding space to park.
All-in-all, a fun stay. Dining was awesome. Lots of fresh seafood was always on the menus. A place we found that was really great was "Five Hooks Fish Grill." We liked it so much that we went back again later in the week. The other place really enjoyed by all was "Chinooks at Salmon Bay." Right on the water with seafood shops around. We ate looking out over the harbor. If anyone heads up to Seattle, these two get a double thumbs up from us.
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We started our first day sightseeing in Seattle with the "Pike Place Market." We had to see them throwing the fish around (sorry, did not get a picture of that). The show they put on was great.
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Fish is the main attraction ...
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... fruit, pasta, jelly, and flowers also.
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After the market, off we went to the "Space Needle" and the "Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibit." I was able to get the "Space Needle" in the picture with the glass sculpture. Both of these sights were amazing and I would recommend them both to anyone traveling to Seattle.
The garden was, in itself, a very beautiful place to see. Words just cannot do justice to the views there. Here are a few of the many pictures I took of the gardens and glass exhibit. |
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The next day we headed to the country. The city is cool but we wanted to see a little of the surrounding country also. Mount Rainier was suggested but from where we were staying it would have been a five to six hour round trip drive. "Snoqualmie Falls" was decided on and it was only an hour or so from the house. Not as impressive as the mountain but it had its own beauty which we enjoyed.
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After getting a bite to eat we headed over to the railroad museum.
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This day's tour ends with driving around for another hour checking out the country side and towns. On the way back to Seattle, we stopped for a tank of gas, caramel popcorn, salt water taffy, some drinks and Rose's lottery tickets. "Got to play to win those millions," she said. Sad to say, she did not win. Oh well ... the next day we all head to the "Ballard Locks Cruise." Some really great views of Seattle and we were able to see the house boat used in the film "Sleepless in Seattle."
Space Needle before locks
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RR cantor draw bridge before locks
Ship will rise 18 feet before leaving the locks
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Space Needle after locks
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Off To Juneau Alaska
Here we go ... 25 August 2017 ... Made it to the terminal with the help of the our driver Isaiah ... I am still unsure how we crammed all of that luggage and the six of us in that Suburban but it was done and we entered the Cruise phase of our trip. At 4:00pm we held our mandatory safety orientation on Deck 4. Once released, we started exploring our home for the next seven days -- the "Explorer of the Seas."
Leaving Seattle was an experience. We all met up on Deck 11 to relax and take in the sights. From Mount Rainier in the distance to the vistas along the shoreline we were filled with the beauty of it all. We will sail Friday and Saturday arriving at our first port of call around noon Sunday. The weather varies quite a bit up here. When we left Seattle, it was sunny and the high was 75 degrees. Day two changed to mostly cloudy with a high of 64 degrees. Arriving in Juneau, Alaska on day three we were greeted to mostly cloudy skies with possible showers and a high of 54 degrees. Afraid that we did not have adequate outer ware, the wife and I bought a heavier coat from the cruise ship.
With the heavier coats in hand, our band of travelers head to the gangway to explore Juneau. The wife and I split off from the group and made our way to the Mount Roberts Tramway. The others in the group head to the shopping district. I am concern we will not be able to see much when we get to the top of the mountain. Speaking with one of the local girls about my concern, she looks up the mountain and since she can see the tram she assures us we will have a good view of the area. By George, she was correct ... the view was great.
In addition to the view, we watched a man carve on a totem pole he was creating. When asked how long he had been carving on this one, he responded with 7 days. He was really feeling good about himself and it was really helping him with the carving. He stated he was making good time on this carving.
In addition to the view, we watched a man carve on a totem pole he was creating. When asked how long he had been carving on this one, he responded with 7 days. He was really feeling good about himself and it was really helping him with the carving. He stated he was making good time on this carving.
They also take care of injured animals on the mountain ... the bald eagle below was rescued from being shot by an arrow and was nursed back to health at the center. The eagle was unable to be returned to the wild because when it fell to the ground the retina in its left eye detached and its right claw was damaged. It is still a majestic bird to behold. In the gift shop the wife posed with a bear and a marmot.
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Go to the Mendenhall Glacier tab to continue